Turkish Foreign Ministry on Greece-France agreement: They threaten regional peace

In a provocative statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkey reacted to the strategy defence agreement between Greece and France, after days of speechlessness.

«The the maximalist claims of Greece on maritime jurisdiction and airspace are contrary to international law. It is a nightmare that Greece can make us accept these claims, which are also contested by the international community, by forming bilateral military alliances against Greece. Turkey, in a way that harms the NATO Alliance», the Turkish Foreign Ministry first notes and continues:

«Such futile efforts will only further increase our determination to protect both our own rights and the rights of TRNC in Aegean Sea and the Mediterranean. Instead of cooperation, the Turkey's policy of armament, isolation and alienation by Greece is a problematic policy that will damage Greece and the EU, of which it is a member, and threaten regional peace and stability.».

The messages of Athens and the «cornered» Ankara

Despite Ankara's reaction, which shows... irritation and embarrassment, the communication channels have not collapsed and so next week - probably Tuesday - the delegations Greece and Turkey are preparing for the 63rd round of the exploratory contacts.

The bar of expectations remains low, but a step is being taken to improve the climate as six months have elapsed since the last meeting. It should be noted that from the Greek side, the ambassador is expected to attend this time as well. Pavlos Apostolidis, while there will be changes in the other persons.

At the same time the Turkish president, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, seeking allies on the international stage - yesterday he was in Russia - but he does not seem willing to tone it down. Officially avoiding comments on the Greek-French agreement, with the Anchor but to continue its inflammatory rhetoric and violations of our national airspace.

For its part, the Athens Transmitted by Messages with many Recipients. As to the Turkey, what is pointed out is that there are large Disputes on many issues, but there should be a way of resolving these differences through dialogue. The Prime Minister has stressed that we will not enter into arms race, but notes that «we will defend our territories, our territorial integrity, our sovereignty, our sovereign rights. And to do so we need a strong deterrent capability.».

In the government camp, what is pointed out is that the agreement with France strengthens Greece's existing network of alliances, while operating additional in NATO (without undermining or downgrading the Euro-Atlantic alliance). However, there is one issue: NATO has not clarified whether Article 5 on collective security - which stipulates that an attack against one member is tantamount to an attack against all allies - applies if the attacker is part of the Alliance. It is typical that Mr. Mitsotakis at the Athens Democracy Forum, that «my obligation is to defend my country and to build the necessary alliances, above and beyond the security arrangements we already have. We have an obligation to ensure that we have the ability to defend ourselves. But, at the same time, within NATO, we are adding resources to our transatlantic alliance. .